Today’s topic commemorates sacrifices made in WWII.  Today we are told that some of us have to learn to make sacrifices.  We can only now be proud of our nation.  Because, this time, finally, the wolves have voted to eat the sheep for lunch.  I want to remind us all of how proud we can be of our nation, for it’s revolution, it’s civil war, it’s rise to world leadership, it’s demonstration of the superiority of individual liberties, free markets and capitalism.

These days it seems postage stamps celebrate diversity, fruit and wildlife.  But there was a day in World War two that our post office honored some truly heroic men.  I present the ‘Four Chaplains Postage Stamp’.

Four Chaplains Stamp

In World War II, February 3 1943, a torpedo from U-boat U456 hit the Dorchester, a troopship carrying 904 men to England. Four of the 678 “lost in action” were two Protestants, one Catholic and a Jew, Army chaplains, all lieutenants; Clark V. Poling, George Fox, John P. Washington and Alexander D. Goode.  They heroically gave their life jackets to others, offering prayers and support, then in the face of death, holding hands and praying as they sank with the ship.

We are imperfect people, living in an imperfect nation in an imperfect world.  But it is an imperfect nation of which I am and always have been very proud.